Drought is a phenomenon of climate and is one of the catastrophic events that cause much damage on each occurrence. One of the ways of drought adjustment, evaluation and drought monitoring is based on indicators that can be used to determine its extent and continuity in a region. In this study, drought analysis (the duration and severity of drought) in the north Iraq region was studied by using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for time intervals of 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. That feature of this method helps to compare the drought events in different places and scales. To observe dry and wet periods and the severity and length of drought monthly rainfall data of 15 meteorological stations of the northern Iraq provinces from 1979 to 2013 were used. Calculations were performed on the SPI by using the SPI code in MATLAB computer software. The results of the study showed that the continuity of dry periods in the 6, 9 and 12 month periods was higher than in the 1 and 3 month time intervals. Moreover, according to the calculation, the driest year was observed in 2008. This analysis is essential because it gives full information about the longest dry and wet periods for all stations of the region.

The Euphrates–Tigris Basin is experiencing significant environmental transformations due to climate change, Land Use and Land Cover Change (LULCC), and anthropogenic pressures. This study employs Earth Map, an open-access remote sensing platform, to comprehensively assess climate trends, vegetation dynamics, water resource variability, and land degradation across the basin. Key findings reveal a geographic shift toward aridity, with declining precipitation in high-altitude headwater regions and rising temperatures exacerbating water scarcity. While cropland expansion and localized improvements in land productivity were observed, large areas—particularly in hyperarid and steppe zones—show early signs of degradation, increasing the risk of dust source expansion. LULCC analysis highlights substantial wetland loss, irreversible urban growth, and agricultural encroachment into fragile ecosystems, with Iraq experiencing the most pronounced transformations. Climate projections under the SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios indicate intensified warming and aridity, threatening hydrological stability. This study underscores the urgent need for integrated water management, Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN), and climate-resilient policies to safeguard the basin’s ecological and socioeconomic resilience. Earth Map is a vital tool for monitoring environmental changes, offering rapid insights for policymakers and stakeholders in this data-scarce region. Future research should include higher-resolution datasets and localized socioeconomic data to improve adaptive strategies.